Overhead fan misting system and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A misting system has a fan unit. A housing is provided having an opening formed there through. The fan unit is positioned within the opening. A plurality of apertures is formed in a bottom section of the housing. A plurality of misting nozzles is provided, wherein an individual misting nozzle is positioned proximate each aperture. A cap is positioned over the opening in a bottom section of the housing. A plurality of channels formed in the cap, wherein each of the plurality of channels is curved in a same direction of a rotational direction of the fan unit when the fan unit is forcing air downward and extend down and away from the cap forming a curved “V” shaped trough, wherein at least one curved “V” shaped trough is aligned with each of the plurality of misting nozzles.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 10,207,231, issuedon Feb. 19, 2019, entitled “OVERHEAD FAN MISTING SYSTEM AND METHODTHEREFOR” in the names of David B. Johnson and Bret T. Rogers, and whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application in general relates to a misting system, and morespecifically, to an overhead fan misting system that is able to extendthe area around the overhead fan where the temperature reduction may befelt by users.

BACKGROUND

Misting systems may be installed in residential and commercial outdoorareas as an energy-efficient way to cool the surrounding outdoor areaswhere the misting system is installed. Misting systems may generallyconsist of tubing connected to a water pump, which, in turn, isconnected to a water supply. The tubing may have a plurality of fineopenings and/or nozzles running the length of the tubing. The openingsand/or nozzles may be used so that the water flowing through the tubingmay be dispersed in the form of a mist.

Misting systems may be able to lower the temperature in the area wherethe misting system is installed in the following manner. When watermolecules evaporate into the air, the water changes from a liquid to agas state. A certain amount of energy or heat is needed to assist thisprocess of changing water from a liquid to a gas, which is automaticallydrawn from the surrounding air, thus lowering the ambient temperaturearound the misted area.

Unfortunately, the effectively cooling area of most misting systems islimited. To try and increase the cooling area, misting systems haveincorporated fans and/or air blowers to direct water-bearing airflowstoward the area to be cooled. While the cooling area may be increased byusing fans/blowers, the cooling area is limited to the size and speed ofthe fan. Unfortunately, increasing the size and/or speed of thefans/blowers creates several issues. First, higher-velocity fans/blowerstend to be large and bulky. Further, higher-velocity fans/blowers tendto be too noisy. Some of these higher-velocity fans/blowers may be soloud that it may be difficult to hear others conversing around you.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method thatovercomes the above.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a misting system is disclosed. Themisting system has a fan unit. A housing is provided having an openingfowled there through. The fan unit is positioned within the opening. Aplurality of apertures is formed in a bottom section of the housing. Aplurality of misting nozzles is provided, wherein an individual mistingnozzle is positioned proximate each aperture. A cap is positioned overthe opening in a bottom section of the housing. A plurality of channelsis formed in the cap, wherein each of the plurality of channels iscurved in a same direction of a rotational direction of the fan unitwhen the fan unit is forcing air downward and extend down and away fromthe cap forming a curved “V” shaped trough, wherein at least, one curved“V” shaped trough is aligned with each of the plurality of mistingnozzles.

In accordance with one embodiment, a misting system is disclosed. Themisting system has a fan unit. A housing is provided and has a hollowinterior. An opening is formed through a central area of the housing.The fan unit is positioned within the opening. A plurality of aperturesis formed in a bottom section of the housing. A misting distributionunit is positioned within the hollow interior of the housing unit. Aplurality of misting nozzles of the misting distribution unit isprovided, wherein an individual misting nozzle dispersing a mist out ofeach aperture. A cap is positioned over the opening in a bottom sectionof the housing. A plurality of channels is formed in the cap, whereineach of the plurality of channels is curved in a same direction of arotational direction of the fan unit when the fan unit is forcing airdownward and extend down and away from the cap forming a curved “V”shaped trough, wherein at least one curved “V” shaped trough is alignedwith each of the plurality of misting nozzles.

In accordance with one embodiment, a misting system is disclosed. Themisting system has an axial fan unit. A housing is provided having ahollow interior section. An opening is formed through the housing. Thefan unit is positioned within the opening. A plurality of apertures isformed in a bottom section of the housing. A misting distribution unitis positioned within the interior of the housing. An individual nozzleof the misting distribution unit distributing a mist out of eachaperture. A plurality of channels is formed in the cap, wherein each ofthe plurality of channels is curved in a same direction of a rotationaldirection of the fan unit when the fan unit is forcing air downward andextend down and away from the cap forming a curved “V” shaped trough,wherein at least one curved “V” shaped trough is aligned with each ofthe plurality of misting nozzles. A mounting unit is coupled to the fanunit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present application is further detailed with respect to thefollowing drawings. These figures are not intended to limit the scope ofthe present invention but rather illustrate certain attributes thereof.

FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a misting fan according to oneaspect of the present application;

FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the misting fan depicted inFIG. 1 with a portion of the misting fan cut away in accordance with oneaspect of the present application

FIG. 3 is a front view of the misting fan depicted in FIG. 1 accordingto one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the, misting fan depicted in FIG. 3 with aportion of the misting fan cut away in accordance with one aspect of thepresent application;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the misting fan depicted in FIG. 1according to one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 6 is an elevated perspective view of a misting fan according to oneaspect of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a misting fan of FIG. 6 accordingto one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a magnified elevated perspective view of a misting fan of FIG.6 according to one aspect of the present application; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a misting fan of FIG. 6 according toone aspect of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a misting fan of FIG. 6 according to one aspectof the present application

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of a misting fan of FIG. 6according to one aspect of the present application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawingsis intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of thedisclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which thepresent disclosure be constructed and/or utilized. The description setsforth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing andoperating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments.It is to be understood, however that the same or equivalent functionsand sequences can be accomplished by different embodiments that are alsointended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure.

Embodiments of the exemplary system and method relates to a mistingsystem. The misting system uses a fan to increase the cooling effect ofthe misting system. The misting system has a plurality of chutespositioned below the fan. The chutes may be used to direct an air flowfrom the fan. A nozzle may be positioned above one or more of thechutes. By positioning the nozzles above the chutes, the cooling area ofthe misting system may be increased.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a fan misting system 10 may be seen. The fanmisting system 10 may have a fan unit 12. The fan unit 12 may be anytype of fan. For example, the fan unit 12 may be a propeller fan, anaxial fan or a similar type blowing device. In the embodiment shown inthe FIGs., an axial fan may be seen. Axial fans are named for thedirection of the airflow they create. The blades 12A of the axial fansrotating around an axis 12B draw air in parallel to that axis 12B andforce the air out in the same direction. Axial fans may create airflowwith a high flow rate, meaning they create a large volume of airflow.However, the airflows the axial fan creates are of low pressure. Thus,axial fans may require a low power input for operation and may bequieter than other types of fan units.

A mounting unit 14 may be coupled to the fan unit 12. The mounting unit14 may be used to secure the misting system 10 to a ceiling. Themounting unit 14 may be comprised of a mount bracket 16. Extending downfrom the mount bracket 16 may be a screen 18. The screen 18 may be aprotective, screen to prevent objects from failing into the the unit 12.The protective screen 18 may also prevent individuals from placing theirhands and/or fingers into an open top area of the fart unit 12.

A housing unit 20 may be coupled to the fan unit 12. The housing unit 20may be used to direct the airflow generated from the fan unit 12. Thehousing unit 20 may also be used to store and hold a mist distributionunit 22. The housing unit 20 may have an inner wall 24. The inner wall24 may form an inner perimeter of the housing unit 20. An outer wall 26may be coupled to the inner wall 24. The outer wall 26 may diverge awayfrom the inner wall 24 to form a hollow interior section 28 of thehousing unit 20. In accordance with one embodiment, the outer wall 26may have a “C” shape wherein the inner portion of the “C” forms theinterior section 28.

The housing unit 20 may have an opening 30 formed through a central areaof the housing unit 20. The inner wall 24 may form a perimeter of theopening 30. The opening 30 may be formed to have a perimeterapproximately equal to a size and shape of the fan unit 12. This mayallow the fan unit 12 to be placed within the opening 30 directingairflow generated from the fan unit 12 down and out of the opening 30formed in the housing unit 20.

In the present embodiment shown, the housing unit 20 may be shapedsimilar to a ring or a doughnut having a circular opening 30 through thehousing unit 20. However, this is shown only as an example and shouldnot be seen in a limiting manner. The housing unit 20 may take on othershapes without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Similarly, the opening 30 may take on different shapes and/orsizes without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. The opening 30 may take on any shape that may correspond tothe shape of the perimeter of the fan unit 12.

A plurality of apertures 32 may be formed in the housing unit 20. Theapertures 32 may be formed around an outer perimeter of a bottom sectionof the housing unit 20. The apertures 32 may be used to allow a mistingnozzle 34 housed within the interior section 28 of the housing unit 20to disperse a mist there from. The misting nozzles 34 may protrude therethrough, be flush with the aperture 32, and/or be recessed from theaperture 32. The misting nozzle 34 may be coupled to a water supply line36. The water supply line 36 may be housed within the interior section28 and provide water to the misting nozzles 34. The water supply line 36may be coupled to a water pump and water supply for supplying water tothe misting nozzles 34. In accordance with one embodiment, the mistingnozzles 34 may be movable to adjust the direction and/or angle of flowof the mist exiting the misting nozzles 34. The misting nozzles 34 mayalso be adjustable to change the amount of water being dispersed throughthe misting nozzles 34.

A cap 38 may be coupled to a bottom end of the housing unit 20. The cap38 may be positioned over the opening 30 formed through the housing unit20. The cap 38 may be used to control the direction of the airflowdirected out of the opening 30. In accordance with one embodiment, aplurality of channels 40 may be formed in the cap 38. The channels 40may be formed around a perimeter of the cap 38. The channels 40 mayallow the airflow to be directed out from the cap 38 thereby allowingthe cap 38 to control the direction of the airflow directed out of theopening 30. Since the cap 38 blocks and directs the airflow out of thechannels 40, the airflow exiting the channels 40 may come out with anincrease in velocity as compared to an embodiment with no cap 38. Itshould be noted that while the cap 38 and housing unit 20 may bedescribed above as being separate elements, the cap 38 and housing unit20 may be integral to one another such that the cap 38 and housing unit20 may be formed as a single unit.

In the present embodiment, the channels 40 may be “V” shaped channels.The “V” shaped channels may extend down and away from the cap 38 therebyforming a trough 40A. The troughs 40A may be angled downward. The angleof the troughs may be anywhere from 15° to 90°. The angle of the trough40A may be based on the area one wishes to cover.

Each of the misting nozzles 34 may be positioned above and/or within anindividual trough 40A. While the present embodiment shows a mistingnozzle 34 positioned above each trough 40A, there may be embodimentswhere misting nozzles 34 may be positioned in every other trough 40A,every third trough 40A or any pattern/layout a user may like.

In operation, when the fan unit 12 is activated, airflow generated bythe fan unit 12 may be directed down the opening 30 formed in thehousing unit 20. The airflow may be directed out of the plurality oftroughs 40A formed in the cap 38. The troughs 40A force the airflow outat a predefined direction and at a greater speed. A misting nozzle 34may be positioned within or above a top section of an individual trough40A. When the misting nozzle 34 disperses a mist, the airflow from thetroughs 40A forces the mist out a further distance, thereby extendingthe cooling area of the misting system 10.

Referring to FIGS. 6-11, another embodiment of a fan misting system 10′may be seen wherein like reference numerals from the previous embodimentrepresent like elements. The fan misting system 10′ may have a fan unit12. The fan unit 12 may be any type of fan. For example, the fan unit 12may be a propeller fan, an axial fan or a similar type blowing device.In the embodiment shown in the FIGS. 6-8., an axial fan may be soon.Axial fans are named for the direction of the airflow they create. Theblades 12A of the axial fans rotating around an axis 12B draw air inparallel to that axis 12B and force the air out in the same direction.Axial fans may create airflow with a high flow rate, meaning they createa large volume of airflow. However, the airflows the axial tan createsare of low pressure. Thus, axial fans may require a low power input foroperation and may be quieter than other types of fan units.

A mounting unit 14 may be coupled to the fan unit 12. The mounting unit14 may be used to secure the misting system 10 to a ceiling. Themounting unit 14 may be comprised of a mount bracket 16. Extending downfrom the mount bracket 16 may be a screen 18. The screen 18 may be aprotective screen to prevent objects from falling into the fan unit 12.The protective screen 18 may also prevent individuals from placing theirhands and/or fingers into an open top area of the fan unit 12.

A housing unit 20 may be coupled to the fan unit 12. The housing unit 20may be used to direct the airflow generated horn the fan unit 12. Thehousing unit 20 may also be used to store and hold a mist distributionunit 22. The housing unit 20 may have an inner wall 24. The inner wall24 may form an inner perimeter of the housing unit 20. An outer wall 26may be coupled to the inner wall 24. The outer wall 26 may diverge awayfrom the inner wall 24 to form a hollow interior section 28 of thehousing unit 20. In accordance with one embodiment, the outer wall 26may have a “C” shape wherein the inner portion of the “C” forms theinterior section 28.

The housing unit 20 may have an opening 30 formed through a central areaof the housing unit 20. The inner wall 24 may form a perimeter of theopening 30. The opening 30 may be formed to have a perimeterapproximately equal to a size and shape of the fan unit 12. This mayallow the fan unit 12 to be placed within the opening 30 directingairflow generated from the fan unit 12 down and out of the opening 30formed in the housing unit 20.

In the present embodiment shown, the housing unit 20 may be shapedsimilar to a ring or a doughnut having a circular opening 30 through thehousing unit 20. However, this is shown only as an example and shouldnot be seen in a limiting manner. The housing unit 20 may take on othershapes without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Similarly, the opening 30 may take on different shapes and/orsizes without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. The opening 30 may take on any shape that may correspond tothe shape of the perimeter of the fan unit 12.

A plurality of apertures 32 may be formed in the housing unit 20. Theapertures 32 may be formed around an outer perimeter of a bottom sectionof the housing unit 20. The apertures 32 may be used to allow a mistingnozzle 34 housed within the interior section 28 of the housing unit 20to disperse a mist there from. The misting nozzles 34 may protrude therethrough, be flush with the aperture 32, and/or be recessed from theaperture 32. The misting nozzle 34 may be coupled to a water supply line36. The water supply line 36 may be housed within the interior section28 and provide water to the misting nozzles 34. The water supply line 36may be coupled to a water pump and water supply for supplying water tothe misting nozzles 34. In accordance with one embodiment, the mistingnozzles 34 may be movable to adjust the direction and/or angle of flowof the mist exiting the misting nozzles 34. The misting nozzles 34 mayalso be adjustable to change the amount of water being dispersed throughthe misting nozzles 34.

A cap 38 may be coupled to a bottom end of the housing unit 20. The cap38 may be positioned over the opening 30 formed through the housing unit20. The cap 38 may be used to control the direction of the airflowdirected out of the opening 30. In accordance with one embodiment, aplurality of channels 40 may be formed in the cap 38. The channels 40may be formed around a perimeter of the cap 38. The channels 40 mayallow the airflow to be directed out from the cap 38 thereby allowingthe cap 38 to control the direction of the airflow directed out of theopening 30. Since the cap 38 blocks and directs the airflow out of thechannels 40, the airflow exiting the channels 40 may come out with anincrease in velocity as compared to embodiment with no cap 38. It shouldbe noted that while the cap 38 and housing unit 20 may be describedabove as being separate elements, the cap 38 and housing unit 20 may beintegral to one another such that the cap 38 and housing unit 20 may beformed as a single unit.

In the present embodiment, the channels 40 may be “V” shaped channelswhich may be curved and may extend down and away from the cap 38 therebyforming a curved “V” shape trough 40A′. The curved “V” shaped troughs40A′ may be curved in a counter-clockwise direction. The curved “V”shaped troughs 40A′ may be curved in a counter-clockwise directionanywhere from 5° to 45°. The curved “V” shaped troughs 40A′ may also beangled down and away from the cap 38. The angle downward of the curved“V” shaped troughs 40A′ may be anywhere from 15° to 90°. The angle ofthe trough 40A may be based on the area one wishes to cover.

The counter-clockwise direction of the curved “V” shaped troughs 40A′may be similar to the rotational direction of the fan unit 12 when thefan unit 12 is forcing air downward. Since the fan unit 12, when forcingair downward, rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, the curvature ofthe curved “V” shaped troughs 40A′ in a counter-clockwise direction maybetter capture and accelerate the wind flow. The curvature of the curved“V” shaped troughs 40A′ may increase the exit velocity of the airexiting the “V” shaped troughs 40A′. Similarly, adjusting the downwardangle of the curved “V” shaped troughs 40A′ in addition to adjusting theangle of curvature of the curved “V” shaped troughs 40A′ may increasethe exit velocity of the air exiting the “V” shaped troughs 40A′ up toalmost 40%.

Each of the misting nozzles 34 may be positioned above and/or within aindividual curved “V” shaped trough 40A′. While the present embodimentshows a misting nozzle 34 positioned above each curved “V” shaped trough40A′, there may be embodiments where misting nozzles 34 may bepositioned in every other curved “V” shaped trough 40A′, every thirdcurved “V” shaped trough 40A′ or any pattern/layout a user may like.

In operation, when the fan unit 12 is activated, airflow generated bythe fan unit 12 may be directed down the opening 30 formed in thehousing unit 20. The airflow may be directed out of the plurality ofcurved “V” shaped, troughs 40A′ formed in the cap 38. The curved “V”shaped troughs 40A′ force the airflow out at a predefined direction andat a greater speed. A misting nozzle 34 may be positioned within orabove a top section of an individual curved “V” shaped trough 40A′. Whenthe misting nozzle 34 disperses a mist, the airflow from the curved “V”shaped troughs 40A′ forces the mist out a further distance, therebyextending the cooling area of the misting system 10.

The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments ofthe invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practicethereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, areintended to define the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A misting system comprising: a fan unit; ahousing having an opening formed there through, the fan unit positionedwithin the opening; a plurality of apertures formed in a bottom sectionof the housing; a plurality of misting nozzles, wherein an individualnozzle is positioned proximate each aperture; a cap positioned over theopening in a bottom section of the housing; and a plurality of channelsformed in the cap, wherein each of the plurality of channels is curvedin a same direction of a rotational direction of the fan unit when thefan unit is forcing air downward and extend down and away from the capforming a curved “V” shaped trough, wherein at least one curved “V”shaped trough is aligned with each of the plurality of misting nozzles.2. The misting system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofchannels is curved in a counter-clockwise direction.
 3. The mistingsystem of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of channels is curvedin a counter-clockwise direction from 5° to 45°.
 4. The misting systemof claim 1, comprising a water line positioned within the housing andcoupled to the plurality of misting nozzles.
 5. The misting system ofclaim 1, comprising: a mounting bracket; and a screen coupled to themounting bracket
 6. The misting system of claim 1, wherein the fan is anaxial fan.
 7. The misting system of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of curved “V” shaped troughs is angled downward from 15° to90°.
 8. The misting system of claim 1, wherein the housing unitcomprises: an inner wall, the inner wall forming a perimeter of theopening; an outer wall coupled to the inner wall, the outer walldiverging away from the inner wall forming a hollow interior section ofthe housing unit.
 9. The misting system of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of misting nozzles are movable to adjust an angle thereof. 10.The misting system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mistingnozzles are adjustable to change an amount of water being dispersed. 11.A misting system comprising: a fan unit; a housing having a hollowinterior; an opening formed through a central area of the housing, thefan unit positioned within the opening; a plurality of apertures formedin a bottom section of the housing; a misting distribution unitpositioned within the hollow interior of the housing unit; a pluralityof misting nozzles of the misting distribution unit wherein anindividual misting nozzle dispersing a mist out of each aperture; a cappositioned over the opening in a bottom section of the housing; and aplurality of channels formed in the cap, wherein each of the pluralityof channels is curved in a same direction of a rotational direction ofthe fan unit when the fan unit is forcing air downward and extend downand away from the cap forming a curved “V” shaped trough, wherein atleast one curved “V” shaped trough is aligned with each of the pluralityof misting nozzles.
 12. The misting system of claim 11, wherein each ofthe plurality of channels is curved in a counter-clockwise direction.13. The misting system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality ofchannels is curved in a counter-clockwise direction from 5° to 45°. 14.The misting system of claim 11, comprising a mounting unit coupled tothe fan unit.
 15. The misting system of claim 14, wherein the mountingunit comprises: a mounting bracket; and a screen coupled to the mountingbracket.
 16. The misting system of claim 11, wherein the plurality ofchannels extend down and away from the cap forming a trough, each troughangled downward from 15° to 90°.
 17. The misting system of claim 11,wherein the housing unit comprises: an inner wall, the inner wallforming a perimeter of the opening; an outer wall coupled to the innerwall, the outer wall diverging away from the inner wall forming thehollow interior section of the housing unit.
 18. The misting system ofclaim 11, wherein each of the plurality of misting nozzles are movableto adjust an angle thereof and to change an amount of water beingdispersed.
 19. A misting system comprising: an axial fan unit; a housinghaving a hollow interior section; an opening formed through the housing,the fan unit positioned within the opening; a plurality of aperturesformed in a bottom section of the housing; a misting distribution unitpositioned within the interior of the housing; an individual nozzle ofthe misting distribution unit distributing a mist out of each aperture;a plurality of channels formed in the cap, wherein each of the pluralityof channels is curved in a same direction of a rotational direction ofthe fan unit when the fan unit is forcing air downward and extend downand away from the cap forming a curved “V” shaped trough, wherein atleast one curved “V” shaped trough is aligned with each of the pluralityof misting nozzles; and a mounting unit coupled to the fan unit.
 20. Themisting system of claim 19, wherein the housing unit comprises: an innerwall, the inner wall forming a perimeter of the opening; an outer wallcoupled to the inner wall, the outer wall diverging away from the innerwall forming the hollow interior section of the housing unit.